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Santa Monica · Los Angeles County

Santa Monica Pier

Now · 11:00 PM
2–4 ft
Fair
Wind
8–12 mph
offshore · N
Tide
0.9 ft
best mid
Water
71°F
Springsuit or 2 mm full
Air
70°F
Clear
Best window
Tomorrow 8 AM–10 AM · 2–3 ftFair

Beach cam

Santa Monica Beach & Pier · cam by explore.orgWatch on YouTube
Next 5 daysSurf height and tide, hour by hour
1ft2ft3ft4ftThuFriSatSunMonTide
16-day outlookTomorrow 2–3 ft · Fair
  • Thu, Nov 52–4 ftWind AM offshore, PM onshoreFair
  • Fri, Nov 62–3 ftWind AM offshore, PM onshoreFair
  • Sat, Nov 71–3 ftWind AM offshore, PM crossFair
  • Sun, Nov 82–3 ftWind AM offshore, PM calmPoor–Fair
  • Mon, Nov 92–3 ftWind AM offshore, PM onshoreFair
  • Tue, Nov 102–3 ftWind AM calm, PM onshorePoor–Fair
  • Wed, Nov 112–3 ftWind AM calm, PM onshorePoor–Fair
  • Thu, Nov 122–3 ftWind AM offshore, PM calmFair
  • Fri, Nov 132–4 ftWind AM offshore, PM crossFair
  • Sat, Nov 143–10 ftWind AM cross, PM onshoreFair
  • Sun, Nov 155–8 ftWind AM onshore, PM onshoreFair
  • Mon, Nov 164–7 ftWind AM onshore, PM crossFair
  • Tue, Nov 173–6 ftWind AM offshore, PM offshoreGood
  • Wed, Nov 182–4 ftWind AM calm, PM calmFair
  • Thu, Nov 192–3 ftWind AM calm, PM onshoreFair
  • Fri, Nov 202–3 ftWind AM cross, PM onshorePoor–Fair
Swell1.1 ft @ 14s SSW
  • 1.1 ft14 s SSW 204°swell
  • 0.7 ft13 s W 275°swell
  • 1.0 ft6 s WSW 255°swell

Offshore deep-water swell from NOAA WAVEWATCH III.

Wind & weather8 mph offshore · Clear
5mph10mph15mphThuFriSatSunMon

Solid: wind · dashed: gusts · dots: offshore/calm, cross, onshore

  • 10 PM8–12 mphoffshore71°F Clear
  • 12 AM8–12 mphoffshore70°F Clear
  • 2 AM6–7 mphoffshore70°F Clear
  • 4 AM7–8 mphoffshore68°F Clear
  • 6 AM7–8 mphoffshore61°F Clear
  • 8 AM6–7 mphoffshore68°F Clear
  • 10 AM7–10 mphonshore73°F Clear
  • 12 PM7–10 mphonshore73°F Clear
  • 2 PM10–13 mphonshore73°F Clear
  • 4 PM10–12 mphonshore73°F Clear
  • 6 PM10–12 mphonshore73°F Clear
  • 8 PM8–12 mphcross70°F Clear
  • 10 PM12–17 mphoffshore68°F Clear

National Weather Service forecast; NOAA GFS model beyond about 7 days.

Tides · Santa MonicaNext low 12 AM · 0.6 ft
  • Low
    12 AM · 0.6 ft
  • High
    6 AM · 5.6 ft
  • Low
    12 PM · 0.7 ft
  • High
    6 PM · 4.5 ft

NOAA Tides & Currents predictions. Best tide here: mid.

Sun & lightFirst light 5:50 AM · Sunset 4:58 PM · UV 4

UV index peak 4 (moderate) around 12 PM.EPA UV index forecast.

First lightSunriseSunsetLast light
Today5:50 AM6:16 AM4:58 PM5:24 PM
Tomorrow5:51 AM6:17 AM4:57 PM5:23 PM
Water temp & live buoyWater 71°F · Buoy 4.3 ft @ 13s

Water 71°F (NOAA tide station, 10:06 PM). Suggested: Springsuit or 2 mm full.

Santa Monica Bay, CA (CDIP 028) buoy (46221) · 9:26 PM
Wave height
1.3 m (4.3 ft)
Dominant period
13 s
Average period
7.6 s
Direction
WSW 244°
Water temp
23.3 °C

Measured at the buoy, shown as reported (feet converted from metres). Data: CDIP, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, via NOAA NDBC.

Water qualityCheck before you paddle out, especially after rain

Health departments post bacteria advisories and sewage-spill closures. Avoid the water for at least 72 hours after rain, especially near river mouths, creeks and storm drains.

Today's status: LA County Public Health beach grades →
Getting thereCity beach lots 1N/1S beside the pier; rates changed Jan 12, 2026: about $20/day Apr-Oct, $8-12 Nov-Mar, short-term $2-3/hr.
Parking
City beach lots 1N/1S beside the pier; rates changed Jan 12, 2026: about $20/day Apr-Oct, $8-12 Nov-Mar, short-term $2-3/hr.
Access
Flat sand walk from the lots.
Lifeguards
LA County Fire Lifeguards (towers 2-16 north and 17-29 south of the pier).
Facilities
Restrooms, showers, and lots of food on the pier and nearby.
Etiquette
Crowded, with many swimmers and surf schools; stay clear of swim zones.
Hazards
Pier pilings (don't surf through them). Public Health often warns against water contact within about 100 yards of the pier. Avoid the water for at least 72 hours after rain (LA County Public Health advisory).

Local info changes; check posted signs and lifeguards on the day.

About this breakpier · sand · faces SW

Beach-break peaks on the sandbars either side of Santa Monica Pier. Keep clear of the pilings and fishing lines. Water quality near the pier is often poor after rain. Avoid the water for 72 hours after rain (LA County Public Health).

Faces SW · works on S–W swell · best SW–W · usually surfed by all levels

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Model run 2026-11-05 00Z. Surf heights are face-height estimates from our spot model. Data sources